ISEE Upper Level Quantitative : ISEE Upper Level (grades 9-12) Quantitative Reasoning

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for ISEE Upper Level Quantitative

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #31 : Equations

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 50 

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to tell from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

(b) is greater

(a) is greater

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal

Explanation:

By the commutative property, 

 

By the multiplication property of equality,

By distribution,

Example Question #36 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

 is a positive number. Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to tell from the information given

(a) and (b) are equal

(b) is greater 

(a) is greater

Correct answer:

(b) is greater 

Explanation:

If , then 

If , then 

If , then 

Therefore, regardless of the value of , as long as  is positive, , and (b) is greater.

Example Question #32 : Equations

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b)

Possible Answers:

(b) is greater.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(a) and (b) are equal.

(a) is greater.

Correct answer:

(b) is greater.

Explanation:

From the multiplication property of equality,

.

By distribution,

.

Example Question #33 : Equations

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(a) is greater.

(b) is greater.

(a) and (b) are equal.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

Correct answer:

(a) is greater.

Explanation:

Take the absolute value of both sides:

This makes (a) greater.

 

Example Question #39 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(a) and (b) are equal.

(b) is greater.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(a) is greater.

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal.

Explanation:

(a) 

(b) 

Rewrite as a fraction:

Example Question #40 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Define  as follows:

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(b) is greater.

(a) is greater.

(a) and (b) are equal.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

Correct answer:

(b) is greater.

Explanation:

(a)  can be evaluated by using the definition of  for positive :

 can be evaluated by using the definition of  for nonpositive :

Add: 

 

(b)  can be evaluated by using the definition of  for nonpositive :

 

Example Question #41 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

 is defined as the greatest integer less than or equal to 

 is defined as the least integer greater than or equal to 

itself is not an integer.

Which is the greater quantity? 

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(a) is greater.

(b) is greater.

(a) and (b) are equal.

Correct answer:

(a) is greater.

Explanation:

Let  .

Then .

Since is a noninteger,  and .

(a) 

(b) 

(a) is greater than (b).

Example Question #711 : Isee Upper Level (Grades 9 12) Quantitative Reasoning

Define  and .

 can be any real number. 

Which is the greater quantity? 

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(b) is greater.

(a) and (b) are equal.

(a) is greater.

Correct answer:

(b) is greater.

Explanation:

(a) 

Substitute  for :

 

(b) 

Substitute  for :

 

, so regardless of the value of , and (b) is greater.

Example Question #42 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Veronica and Stephanie bought sweaters of the same type, but at different stores. Veronica bought hers for  at Markham's; Stephanie bought hers for  at Schuster's. Veronica got a better discount rate than Stephanie, and she has been bragging about it.

Which is the greater quantity?

(a) The price of the sweater at Markham's before discount

(b) The price of the sweater at Schuster's before discount

Possible Answers:

(a) and (b) are equal.

(a) is greater.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

(b) is greater.

Correct answer:

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

Explanation:

We show that the question cannot be answered with certainty by taking two sample cases.

Case 1: The sweaters cost  at both stores.

Veronica saved  and got a  discount rate. Stephanie saved  and got a discount rate.

Case 2: The sweater cost  at Markham's and  at Schuster's.

In this case Veronica saved  and got a  discount rate. Stephanie saved  and got a discount rate of .

Example Question #43 : How To Find The Solution To An Equation

Define .

Which is the greater quantity? 

(a) 

(b) 

Possible Answers:

(a) is greater.

(a) and (b) are equal.

(b) is greater.

It is impossible to tell from the information given.

Correct answer:

(a) and (b) are equal.

Explanation:

(a)  

(b) 

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors